Extended Project

REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE

Choose your own topic and title. Titles this year ranged from “Are humans really made of stardust?” to “What makes the perfect pop song?”

Demonstrate that you are an independent learner.

Learn skills that universities and employers value greatly.

EPQ is the only AS in which you can achieve an A* (28 UCAS points).

Some universities make lower UCAS offers based on EPQ grade.

You can take EPQ in either Year 1 or Year 2; it is a one-year course.

You can combine it with most other courses.

Link it to your favourite subject, a career plan or a passion.

You become the expert in the classroom rather than the tutor.

Our results: almost half A* and A, two-thirds A* to B,

Outstanding Value Added.

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY

What makes a good research title as well as how to carry out academic, detailed and balanced research. How to structure a convincing academic argument. How to reference academic sources appropriately. How to test the credibility of sources and to detect bias. How to give a convincing, professional and entertaining. Presentation to an audience of your peers.

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

100% coursework plus a dissertation of at least 6000 words. The majority of students opt for the dissertation, but alternatives
to the essay are: an Investigation/Experiment/Field Study, a Performance or an Artefact plus 2,000 words.

PROGRESSION

Completing the EPQ will position you as a strong candidate for university places as you will develop key skills including independent learning, research and time management.

What You'll Need

• ability to work independently
• organisational and time management skills
• be prepared to spend at least 2½ hours per week of your own time on reading, research and production
• determination to overcome any obstacles and to solve problems
• to be critical, responsible, honest and reflective
• communication skills, both written and verbal and numeracy
skills

Priestley Extra

There are regular opportunities for University visits. EPQ students have the chance to use the John Rylands University of Manchester Library. In previous years, students have corresponded with leading world experts in their field. EPQ complements Pre-Med, Pre-Law, Pre-Teaching and other enrichment activities. Students will also be encouraged to undertake an edX or FutureLearn online distance learning course, especially if it ties in with their Extended Project topic and progression plans.